Names of Full Moons for Each Month

Photo Credit

Colleen Quinnell, The Old Farmer's Almanac

Here is a list of all the full Moon names for the entire year!

November 12, 2021

Traditionally, it was common to give a name to each month’s Moon. People tracked the changing seasons and marked the calendar this way! The Moon names were usually related to what was happening in nature. Here are the full Moon names for the entire year.

Many of the full Moon names below come from Native American sources, but others come instead from European tradition. Keep in mind that different Native American tribes used different Moon names. After all, the Moon names are largely based on nature, and what you see in nature depends on where you live! We have picked some of our favorite Moon names for each month of today’s calendar.

Month	Name	Description
January	Full Wolf Moon	Wolves tended to howl more often at this time. This Moon has also been called the Cold Moon and the Spirit Moon.
February	Full Snow Moon	The heaviest snows often fall in February. This Moon has also been called the Hunger Moon.
March	Full Worm Moon	The ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This has also been called the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
April	Full Pink Moon	This full Moon heralded the appearance of the “moss pink,” or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It has also been called the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.
May	Full Flower Moon	Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. This has also been called the Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon.
June	Full Strawberry Moon	In the North American Colonies, this was a time to gather ripening strawberries. It has also been called the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.
July	Full Buck Moon	At this time, a buck’s antlers are in full growth mode. This full Moon has also been called the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
August	Full Sturgeon Moon	The sturgeon—a type of fish—of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. This has also been called the Green Corn Moon.
September	Full Corn Moon	This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It has also been called the Barley Moon, as it is the time to harvest and thresh the ripened barley. (See note below regarding the “Harvest Moon” timing.)
October	Full Hunter’s Moon	This is the month when the leaves are falling and the animals are fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October’s Moon has also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.
November	Full Beaver Moon	For both the colonists and local tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon has also called the Frost Moon.
December	Full Cold Moon	This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon has also been called the Long Nights Moon.